The Parish Priest writes:

 ​​

30 NOVEMBER 2025  - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

​

​

​​​

​

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Gracious and loving God, we thank You for the gift of our priests, help them to be strong in their vocation and become instruments of Your love and grace. Send Your Holy Spirit to give courage and guidance to all You are calling to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life in our Archdiocese. May those called, hear Your voice, and respond wholeheartedly to become the person You have created them to be. Heavenly Father, form us all in the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, so that we may love You more deeply and serve You more faithfully. We ask this through Christ Your Son, the Eternal High Priest. AMEN

​

*******************************​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

THIS WEEKEND SECOND COLLECTION is for the Christmas flowers. We are blessed to have a lovely team of volunteers in our Parish. Their work truly makes our churches beautiful and bring joy to everyone who enters. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

​

NEXT WEEKEND SECOND COLLECTION is for the Mission Appeal. Priests from the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSP) will come to our four churches to talk about the work of their missionaries. The MSP is a religious congregation working in different parts of the world, committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. You can donate by setting up a direct debit using the account details below. By supporting the MSP work, you also sponsor the training of their Seminarians. Some give to the Mission by going. Others go to the Mission by giving. Why not consider going to the Mission by giving. Account Name: The Missionary Society of St Paul; Sort code: 202963; Account No: 73306224

​

PARISH MISSION. With two weeks to the start of the Parish Mission on Monday 15th December, mission leaflets are available in our four churches to facilitate for parishioners to invite a family member, friend or neighbour to attend. Also there are mission posters to take away if you are able to request a local shop or public community space to display the poster on their noticeboard.

​

CHRISTMAS CAKES. Like previous years, our church has been given the task of providing Christmas cakes to the Foodbank. This year, we have an extra challenge to also provide boxes of 6/8 crackers (not the biscuits). I am sure that we will rise to the double challenge and make sure that everyone in the Community have a happy Christmas. Thank you for your generosity. Isabelle Mercer.

​

The FINANCE COMMITTEE will meet on Friday December 5th at 6:30pm in the upper room of the parish centre.

​

ST THOMAS' CHURCH ADVENT CLEAN. Christmas is fast approaching and it would be wonderful to give our church a deep Advent clean. Do you have just one hour to spare on Thursday 18th December from 10:00am to 11:00am or Saturday 20th December 12:00pm to 1:00pm? No experience required, just enthusiasm to present Our Lord’s House at its best for this most holy feast. Just turn up on the day. Contact James or 07917032024, if you have any questions.

​

TRUTH SEEKERS SOCIAL. We invite the young people (ages 13-17), especially those who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation, for a social on Saturday 13th December after the 6:00pm Mass, in the parish centre. It will be an opportunity to welcome new people in our Truth Seekers youth group. Come, have a meal, make friends and have fun.

​

SICK AND HOUSEBOUND. If you want a priest to visit you or someone you know during Advent for the Sacraments of Holy Communion, Confession or Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office.​

​

ADVENT QUIET DAY. You are invited to an Advent Quiet Day of Reflection on Saturday 6th December 2025 at The Barn, Poult Farm, Ashes Lane, Hadlow, TN11 9QU (entrance opposite North Frith Farm) from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Through the use of poetry, prayer, music, scripture and nature, the day will be an opportunity to prepare for Christmas away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. The day will be led by Gilly Fenner who has worked as a spiritual director for over 22 years. Bring a bible, a packed lunch and a change of shoes. Suggested contribution is £5. If you would like to attend, email Gilly

​

ST THOMAS’ SCHOOL. Be Part of the Fun – PTA Raffle Tickets. Help our school and join the excitement! The PTA will be selling raffle tickets after Mass. Don’t miss your chance to support St Thomas’ Catholic School.

​

COFFEE AND CAROLS. Join us for coffee, tea, cake and company every Thursday from 10:00am to 11:45am at the St Thomas’s parish centre. Kathleen Bouverie will be leading us in carols on the 18th December. All are welcome.

​

ALTAR SERVERS. The Wintertime 2026 - Altar Servers Weekend Break will be from Friday 2nd January to Sunday 4th January, at Westminster Youth Ministry Retreat Centre, Pinner. This is for boys and girls servers aged 11- 15 of the Southwark Diocese. Activities include talks, prayer, daily Mass, as well as sport, and social time.This is an offshoot from the successful Summertime 2025. A coach will be provided from Dartford,at an extra cost of £20 return. The cost is £139 and includes board and lodging. Contact the parish office for an application form, which can also be downloaded here. For more information, call 01322 220075 or email dartford@rcaos.org.uk.

​

CHORISTER OPPORTUNITY. We currently have a small number of places available for Year 4 choristers (ages 8–9) who could join after Christmas, and we’re also welcoming Year 3 and Year 4 boys (ages 7–9) interested in joining the choir in September 2026. All choristers attend Westminster Cathedral Choir School — a leading London prep school of around 270 pupils, of whom 20 are choristers. The school is academically strong, and leavers go on to excellent senior schools. Choristers receive a world-class musical and academic education with up to 100% off the fees. Boarding takes place Sunday to Thursday, with a warm, supportive environment and plenty of time for friendships, reading, and outdoor play — above all, chorister life is fun! Choristers sing daily in the Cathedral and tour internationally. Choristers come from a wide range of backgrounds and no prior musical training is required; we’re looking for bright, enthusiastic boys with musical potential and imagination. If you are be interested in finding out more, please do contact Rachel Bonnet at the Choir School: rbonnet@choirschool.com or 020 7798 9081. We would love to hear from you. For more information, click here.

​

CHRIST CHURCH UNITED REFORM CHURCH is looking for a Financial Administrator. Hours are approximately 6-8 hours/week at the rate of £ 15. The address is Littlecourt Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2JG. Details are available on request from 22officechristchurch@gmail.com. Closing date for applications is Friday 12th December.

​

PRISONERS. Prisons are in crisis and there are record numbers of people behind bars. Inspectors report instances of violence, self-harm and people in cells with nothing to do. At the same time, too many are released with no home, no job, no family and no hope. Pact is the leading Catholic charity and it supports prisoners, their families and children, offering them the chance to turn their lives around. If you can help, go to Pact's website.

​​

QUIZ AND CAROLS. Join us for coffee, tea, cake and company every Thursday from 10:00am to 11:45am at the St Thomas’s parish centre. On 27th November, there will be a fun table top quiz. And Kathleen Bouverie will be leading us in carols on the 18th December. All are welcome.​

​

REPOSITORY SHOP TIMES THIS WEEK

Saturday 29th November: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 30th November: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass

Saturday 6th December: after 6:00pm Mass

Sunday 7th December: after 8:00am Mass; after 9:15am Mass; after 11:15am Mass; after 6:00pm Mass

Shop open after any weekday Masses attended by Esther Ford.

Advent materials, including Sr Gemma Simmonds' book Donkey Roads and Camel Treks, and Christmas cards and gifts available now and throughout December, also in Borough Green and Otford. 

MAINTENANCE FUND. In 2025, our budget of £60,000 allowed us to undertake various urgent repairs at St Thomas’ Church and the presbytery. So far, we have carried out significant maintenance on the church roof, almost completed the electrical works, and replaced most of the presbytery windows. The refurbishment of both the presbytery and the church is well underway. All these costs have been covered by donations made to the Parish Maintenance Fund, for which we are extremely grateful.

​

In addition to the ongoing refurbishment of the presbytery, the focus will now shift to flooring the sanctuary, sacristy, and porch of St Thomas’ Church, as well as fitting acoustic panels in the downstairs room of the parish centre. The anticipated 2026 budget is around £125,000. For details, descriptions of the works, cost breakdowns, and information on how to contribute, check the website or contact the parish office. We are very grateful for all contributions made so far. Every little helps as we care for the heart of our parish together.

​

ST THOMAS’ SCHOOL. Be Part of the Fun – PTA Raffle Tickets! Help out our school and join the excitement! The PTA will be selling raffle tickets after Mass on the weekends of November 15th–16th, 22nd–23rd, and 29th–30th. Don’t miss your chance to support St Thomas' Catholic School.​​​

​​

MOST HOLY TRINITY. Starting on Thursday 6th November, Adoration at Most Holy Trinity (Otford) during the winter will be from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, which is half an hour earlier than usual.​​​

​

TAIZE. The TAIZE - Advent Service will be on Sunday 30th November at 7:00pm, at St Thomas’s. Join un for an hour of stillness to reflect and pray with the option to join in singing. There will be refreshments afterwards. Donations are in aid of our parish building maintenance (recommended minimum of £ 5). All welcome.

​

A NEW VISION FOR RUNNING YOUR HOME. SMART Home Management is a practical programme looking at how we can better run our homes and help our children to be positively involved too. It covers topics such as decluttering, meal planning, laundry, communication, roles and relationships within the home. Sessions will run on Mondays from 10:00am to 11:30am in the St Thomas’s parish centre. Come along on November 3rd to find out more. For details, email Mary Hunt  or 07890 229794.​​​

​

MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGE 2026. After two most fruitful trips to Medjugorje in 2024 and 2025, we have booked a week’s pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 13th to 20th May 2026, where we expect Fr Piotr to be joining us. The cost is £768 per person which will include travel from London Gatwick, transfers from Split to Medjugorje, half board shared hotel accommodation, and a local guide to suggest a daily itinerary. The emphasis will be on daily Masses, Confession, Adoration, and an opportunity for the more physically able to climb Prdbdo and Krizevac. Our Lady Queen of Peace will show us what we must do to get closer to Our Lord. Please contact Barry Authers if you would like to join our group: 07773 658469.​​​

​

AFTER SCHOOL ASSISTANT. St Thomas Catholic Primary School is looking for a person to assist the After School Club leader in supervising children attending After School Club, providing activities, encouraging co-operation, securing safety, monitoring well-being and behaviour. This role is from Tuesday to Thursday, 3:00pm to 6:00pm term time only. Starting date: ASAP. If you are interested please e-mail office@st-thomas- sevenoaks.kcsp.org.uk

​​​

UKRAINIAN CANDLE APPEAL. In recent years, we had a wonderful response to our request for candles for Ukraine. The candles, unused or used, are melted down and reconstituted in tins to be sent to the Ukrainian troops to heat their food during winter. Candles are still needed and contributions will be gratefully received. There is a box in each church. Thank you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​

ARCHDIOCESE OF SOUTHWARK WHATSAPP CHANNEL. For the latest updates in the Archdiocese of Southwark, including reflections and homilies from Archbishop John Wilson, as well as prayers and music, join our WhatsApp channel. Our channel aims to help you draw closer to the Lord Jesus through engaging and prayerful content, so please subscribe and share. Join via this link​​​​​​​

​

​ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP. You are invited to join us on Tuesdays at 7:30 with refreshments, praise and worship, followed by reflection and prayer. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in the Parish Centre for an evening of fellowship and spiritual enrichment. Over the coming months, we’ll reflect on the lives of Blessed Carlo Acutis, St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, and St John Henry Newman. If you have a favourite Saint and would like to lead a reflection, please contact Deacon Neil. We look forward to welcoming you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

ALPHA YOUTH. Our Parish Truth Seekers (TS) programme for teens aged 13 to 17 is on Saturdays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The weekly meetings are social, engaging, fun and include games, quizzes, great films, challenging series, interesting speakers, BBQs, refreshments and more. It's a space to share food, friendship and faith. If you have a friend that is new to the faith, he or she is most welcome to join us. We are currently running the Alpha Youth series. For information contact the parish office.​​

​

CHRISTMAS. We are looking for 2 or 3 more helpers to distribute Parish cribs to local shops & businesses. Email Pat Harman or 01732 453902.

​

QUIET EVANGELISATION: send Christian cards rather than snowmen and reindeer. Buy Christian stamps at the post office: you may have to ask for them. Add parishioners in our local care homes to your card list to make them feel cherished and remembered this Christmas.

​

MARRIAGE HELP. Alone or bored in your marriage? Considering separation or already divorced? If you are open to try again, Retrouvaille could be the solution. We have helped thousands of couples get back on track. Retrouvaille is a marriage ministry, run by Catholics, to support marriages. The programme helps couples find hope and healing in their relationship. Call to find out more: www.retrouvaille.org.uk or 0797 338 0443.​​​​​

​

BEREAVEMENT. The Bereavement Support team welcomes anyone who would like to meet to be listened to in a safe, friendly and confidential environment, on an individual basis at a convenient time for them. If you would like to make an appointment, contact the Parish Office.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MASS INTENTIONS - A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO PRAY. We have available spaces for Mass intentions in the coming weeks. Offering a Mass for a loved one, whether living or deceased, is a profound act of love and faith. Please contact the parish office to reserve a date. Let us continue to pray for one another through the powerful gift of the Eucharist

​

MOTHER’S PRAYERS every Thursday after the 12noon Mass in the Parish Centre. It is a special time for mothers to unite in faith and offer prayers for their families and the broader community. All are welcome.

​

RECENTLY DIED​​

​

Thomas Antony Hugh Tyler

Funeral on 1st December at 11:00am, St Thomas’

​

Eileen Stanley (Lynne)

Funeral on 8th December at 12:00pm, West Kingsdown

Elizabeth Sherratt

Internment on 10th December at 11:30am, Greatness Cemetery

Imelda Jane Gibbs

Funeral on 12th December at 12:30 pm, St Thomas’

MAY THEY REST IN PEACE

​​

********************

​

ADVENT SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS

Walk through Advent with your Bible open and your heart awake

​

30 November — Genesis 3:15

After the fall (original sin), when harmony is broken and fear enters the human heart, God speaks the first word of hope. Humanity hides, but God steps forward. This early promise — that evil will be crushed by the offspring of a woman — is the first flicker of the Gospel. It tells us that God does not abandon us in our darkness; He begins healing even before we ask. Every wound and failure in our life is met first by God’s search for us. Let this first promise remind you that God always begins with mercy rather than reproach. Where do I need to let God’s mercy speak louder than my shame?

1 December — Genesis 12:1–3

Abraham hears God’s voice in a world filled with fear and tribal gods. He is asked to leave security and familiarity behind, trusting not a plan but a promise. God uses Abraham’s trust to begin a story that will bless every nation, fulfilled in Christ. Our own journey often feels similar — we must walk before we fully understand. Advent invites us to rediscover faith as trust in God’s goodness rather than clarity about the future. This Bible passage gently reminds us that God works most powerfully through the trust we offer Him in uncertainty. What step might God be asking me to take before I see where it leads?

2 December — Genesis 22:1–14

In a culture where human sacrifice wasn’t uncommon, God turns the ancient world upside down. He shows Abraham that He is not a God who demands death but one who provides the sacrifice Himself. This moment becomes a prophecy in action: on another mountain, the Father will offer His own beloved Son for the world’s salvation. In our own testing moments — when we feel stretched or afraid — God reveals Himself as the One who carries what we cannot. This story reassures us that even in our hardest moments, God is already preparing the grace we will need. What burden can I place back into God’s hands today?

​

3 December — Genesis 49:10

Jacob blesses his sons with eyes shaped by prophecy, not preference. Judah, far from perfect, receives the promise of kingship — a sign that God writes salvation through flawed people. This long, patient preparation points towards Christ, the true King. It reassures us that God can work powerfully through the parts of our lives that feel least promising. His faithfulness to Judah’s line teaches us that God never abandons the seeds of good He planted long ago. Where might God be working in a hidden way I have not yet noticed?

​

4 December — Exodus 12:1–14

Israel is enslaved, powerless, and fearful. God gives them the Passover not only as an escape but as a sign that salvation begins with trust and obedience. The blood of the lamb becomes a mark of protection — and a foreshadowing of Christ, the true Passover Lamb who frees us from sin. We, too, carry our own “Egypts”, places of bondage or fear that God longs to liberate. This night of deliverance reminds us that God can lead us out from any darkness, however deep it seems. What part of my life is crying out for God’s freedom?

​

5 December — Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses prepares the people for a future they cannot yet imagine. He promises a Prophet who will speak God’s word fully and clearly. In Jesus, that promise becomes flesh — the Word Himself walks among us. In a noisy world, Advent invites us to rediscover the blessing of listening for God’s voice with simplicity and trust. Every Advent becomes a chance to tune our hearts again to the One voice that brings peace. Where do I need to make more space to listen to Christ?

​

6 December — 2 Samuel 7:12–16

David’s kingdom is outwardly strong, yet God promises something deeper — not political success, but an eternal reign anchored in God’s own faithfulness. Jesus fulfils this promise through a kingdom built on mercy, forgiveness, and love. When our own plans shift or crumble, this reading reminds us that Christ’s kingdom is the only foundation that endures. His covenant with David assures us that God’s promises remain solid even when our circumstances are fragile. What part of my life needs to be anchored again in Christ’s kingship?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

TRUTH SEEKERS SOCIAL. We invite the young people (ages 13-17), especially those who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation, for a social on Saturday 13th December after the 6:00pm Mass, in the parish centre. Come, have a meal, make friends and have fun.​​​​

​

Alpha Youth is a globally recognised series of interactive and accessible sessions that introduce the basics of the Christian faith. Each one includes a short video and time for open discussion in small groups, creating a safe and respectful environment where participants can explore who Jesus is, what Catholics believe, and how faith impacts everyday life.

​

The core themes include the identity of Jesus, his death and resurrection, the role of the Bible, prayer and the Holy Spirit. It's a unique programme because it offers an informal and relaxed setting where teenagers can be themselves and feel comfortable asking questions.

In a world full of uncertainty, the biggest gift religion can give is a pathway through the chaos, a light in the dark. As a participant of Alpha puts it: “Hope is the main thing I get out of my faith. You’re never alone, no matter how much you may feel it. And that’s beautiful”.

If you would like to know more about Alpha Youth, click here.

​

DIOCESAN NOTICES
 

​​​​​​​​​Hope in Adoration. As part of the Jubilee Year, Archbishop John is encouraging people to turn to the Lord Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration and have their hopes “fulfilled by Christ”. The campaign, Hope in Adoration, will share testimonies from parish priests and laity throughout the year on how Eucharistic Adoration has helped them build a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus. Resources will also be made available for free and there is a comprehensive list of times of Eucharistic Adoration in parishes across the Archdiocese. Find out more about the campaign at rcaos.org.uk/hopeinadoration​​

​​

​St Thomas of Canterbury, pray for us.
St Joseph, pray for us.
St Bernadette, pray for us.
St Edith of Kemsing, pray for us.

​

Fr Peter Kucharski, Parish Priest of Sevenoaks

12 Granville Road     email

Sevenoaks               01732 454177

TN13 1ER